Statements
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, an event that significantly impacted the Mavericks' efforts in their clash against the Celtics. The Mavericks were in the midst of a comeback from a 21-point deficit, showing signs of life and energy before Doncic's crucial foul-out. The call itself was a highly contentious moment. Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge, but unfortunately, he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, the play went to replay review, and the original call was upheld. Doncic, thus, had to exit the game, leaving the Mavericks trailing by three points. Ultimately, they went on to lose the game 106-99, and Boston took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
A Close Call and Defensive Struggles
The call against Doncic was very close; many would argue it could have been overturned on another day. It was ironic that Doncic fouled out while trying to play defense, an area where he has notably struggled throughout this series. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, the highest number for a single defender in the last ten postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been persistent problems, only exacerbating the defensive holes for the Mavericks.
Despite his defensive issues, Doncic has been brilliant offensively. He has excelled against Jayson Tatum, who, in contrast, has shown considerable effort on defense. Unfortunately, Doncic seems more interested in waiting to play offense rather than committing to defensive duties. This lack of defensive engagement has been glaring throughout the NBA Finals, making his effort on that end almost laughable.
Excuses and Comparisons
Some might point to Doncic's sternum injury as a reason for his poor defensive performance. However, this excuse doesn’t hold much weight. Over his career, Doncic has never been a good defender, and any perceived improvements have often been dramatized by his supporters. In this series, Doncic has been a zero defensively, causing the Mavericks to effectively play four against five when defending.
Boston has taken full advantage of this, living in the paint and generating open three-pointers at will due to Doncic’s deficiencies. To make matters worse for Dallas, Kyrie Irving is also not a good defender, further complicating the team's defensive integrity.
Comparing Doncic to other players, his defensive efforts have been likened to James Harden’s well-documented lapses. It is particularly noticeable when Doncic is not close enough to guard sharpshooter Sam Hauser. At one point, Doncic was visibly pointing at the opposite side of the court in a laughable display of unawareness. Moreover, he failed multiple times to help when Brown rejected a screen. Doncic merely offered bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely. He was caught out of place more than once, forcing multiple Mavericks to converge on Brown due to his breakdowns.
The Overall Impact
Doncic’s transition defense was also abysmal. Instead of sprinting back, he stayed on the ground complaining to referees, allowing the Celtics to walk into another open three-pointer. The Mavericks, as a whole, are noticeably outclassed by the Celtics. While Doncic’s defensive shortcomings are significant, they aren’t the sole cause of the Mavericks’ problems. The entire team struggles to keep up with Boston, revealing that their reputation as a defensive unit was, perhaps, a mirage.
The Bigger Picture
Doncic remains undeniably a gifted offensive player. However, his defensive ineptitude in this series has become glaringly apparent. No one expects him to transform into an elite defender overnight, but some modest improvement would go a long way. Other stars like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to turn themselves into competent defenders despite their significant offensive responsibilities. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been labeled defensive liabilities. Doncic, better than both Young and Lillard offensively, must address his defensive issues, especially in crucial playoff games.
Doncic's lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in Dallas’s struggles against Boston. As it stands, the series is effectively over for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic’s defensive performance—or lack thereof—has played a noteworthy role in their downfall, underscoring the need for balanced play on both ends of the court if they are to succeed at the highest level.